Cayenne Pepper Benefits
Cayenne Pepper Benefits
I love the cayenne pepper benefits so much I include it in my daily vegetable juice. Cayenne pepper benefits include preventing LDL oxidation, improved circulation, pain relief, and weight loss.
I guess a lot pf people know about cayenne pepper benefits because it is often sold out when I go shopping for it. When I do find cayenne pepper I buy a couple of bottles at a time because it is likely the next time I go shopping it will be sold out.
Cayenne pepper comes from a plant of the Capsicum annuum species. Cayenne pepper benefits are largely due to its antioxidant capsaicin compound, but it also has nutritional value.
Cayenne Pepper Benefits: Prevents LDL Cholesterol Oxidation
High levels of LDL Cholesterol in the body often lead to a buildup of LDL on artery walls which can lead to atherosclerosis. Studies show that it is the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol that allows the LDL cholesterol to penetrate and buildup on the artery walls.
This buildup results in a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries and reduces the size of the pathway for blood to travel through. It also hardens the walls of arteries and will compromise the healthy functioning of the heart.
Cayenne Pepper Benefits: Lowers Blood Pressure
Cayenne pepper’s antioxidant capsaicin compound has shown in clinical trials to have the ability to reduce blood pressure. The research indicates that capsaicin stimulates the blood vessel receptor TRPV1 activation which results in an increase of the production of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells in the cardiovascular system. This results in the relaxation of blood vessel walls and a decrease in blood pressure.
Cayenne Pepper Benefits: Pain Relief
Cayenne pepper’s capsaicin compound reduces the amount substance P in the body, which is a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain. By reducing the amount of substance P in the body, pain messages to the brain are reduced resulting in less pain. Capsaicin is so effective it is used in topical creams to treat arthritis, muscle pain, and nerve pain.
Cayenne Pepper Benefits: Weight Loss
Cayenne pepper increases heat production in the body through a process called thermogenesis, a process where cells convert energy into heat. This process increases body temperature and metabolism. This increase in heat is dependent on burning energy in the body which uses up calories and reduces weight.
Cayenne Pepper Nutrition
I add 1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper to my veggie juice daily, which is an easy way for me to naturally supplement needed nutrients, and you can also take cayenne pepper capsules. Benefits of taking cayenne pepper is that one tablespoon of cayenne pepper supplies the following:
Nutrient | Amount – Daily Value |
Dietary fiber | 1g – 6% DV |
Vitamin A | 2185 IU – 44% DV |
Vitamin C | 4.0mg – 7% DV |
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) | 1.6mg – 8% DV |
Vitamin K | 4.2mcg – 5% DV |
Vitamin B6 | 0.1mg – 6% DV |
For a complete listing of cayenne pepper nutrition facts: SelfNutritionData-Cayenne Pepper
I get the cayenne pepper benefits by adding cayenne pepper to my daily vegetable juice that I drink as part of my plant based diet to support my healthy living.
References:
Capsaicin – Cell Metabolism
Capsaicin – NCBI
Cayenne – University of Maryland
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